Friday, January 4, 2013

The Free Book Incident

RECEPTION

Thursday 1/10
5:30 – 8:30 pm

ON VIEW
1/10 – 2/15/2013

HOURS
Monday – Friday
11:30 am – 1:30pm

ADDRESS
406 Occidental Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104

Olson Kundig Architects has partnered with Wessel & Lieberman Booksellers, Inc. for its next [storefront] installation, The Free Book Incident. Inspired by a long-running book exchange, “The Book Thing” in Baltimore, MD, The Incident explores what can happen when books are made available for free.
Describing the idea behind The Free Book Incident, Wessel & Lieberman state, “It is not a book store (there is nothing for sale); it is not a library (there is nothing to return). The Incident is a place for exploration, engagement, ideas, activity, conversation—and ultimately, alchemy—all of it generated by the decommidification of books.”

The Free Book Incident celebrates the organic experiences that occur when one searches for a new book. With Olson Kundig Architects providing its [storefront] space and Wessel & Lieberman providing the inventory, this installation is designed for all to enjoy.

“Books are more than pages and binding; they are a catalyst for an experience. The reader finds a book on a shelf, takes that book into his hands and home, and its words into his head,” says intern architect and installation co-curator Adam Monkaba of Olson Kundig Architects. “For the space itself, we designed a kinetic book shelf that pivots, offering a variety of settings in which visitors can explore books. Our goal was to create an engaging environment that promotes access to books and allows visitors to interact with them in surprising ways.”

A series of events from readings and bookmaking classes to writing workshops and book clubs will take place during the months of January and February. In addition to special events, [storefront] will be open Monday through Friday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm during which time visitors can browse for books.

The opening reception for The Free Book Incident is scheduled for January 10, 5:30 – 8:30 pm. Food, drink, and nearly 2,000 free books, will be provided.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

First Thursdays of 2013

We are often asked whether there will be an art walk on a particular First Thursday - understandable since some First Thursdays fall on or a near a holiday. But here's a little secret: the First Thursday art walk always happens on First Thursdays unless all the art venues decide not to. (Check the list of dates below!)

Most folks may not realize that the First Thursday art walk in Pioneer Square started out as, and continues to be, a very grassroots operation. There is no central organization that controls when, where, or how First Thursday will happen. It just kind of...happens. Galleries and artist studios in Pioneer Square plan events for First Thursdays just as they've been doing since the '60s. That's why the art walk always happens on First Thursdays no matter what - all the independent artists and galleries just do it whether or not someone says to do it. The only way the First Thursday art walk won't happen is if these galleries and artists decided they didn't want to participate anymore. In that case the art walk would just die out, and we would all be very sad Keanu Reeves indeed.

Ok, so the Alliance for Pioneer Squareis the organization that does promotions for the event (hence this website, and the free parking and whatnot). But the Alliance does not actively organize the event itself. It's simply running on its own magic.

***UPDATE*** The galleries have spoken. It looks like there will be no First Thursday art walk on July 4th. According to one Facebook commenter: "The majority of art galleries in the Pioneer Square district, including the Tashiro Kaplan building and the SADA dealers, will host the July art walk on the SECOND Thursday of the month, July 11th." Check your favorite galleries for alternative opening reception dates.

January 3, 2013

February 7, 2013

March 7, 2013

April 4, 2013

May 2, 2013

June 6, 2013

July 4, 2013* Cancelled! Many venues are opening for art walk on July 11. Check individual gallery schedules.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Reminder: NO Free Parking January 3rd

Here's a friendly reminder that there will be NO free parking offered this month for the January 2013 First Thursday art walk. Yup, no free garage parking on January 3rd. But the art walk must go on! Plan your trip via bus, light rail, ferry, walking, or park on the street for free after 6 pm.